Emmerdale fans were left reeling on 21 August 2025 when Mackenzie Boyd appeared to meet a brutal end at the hands of John Sugden. Just moments after uncovering the truth about Nate Robinson’s death, Mack was hunted down in a shocking woodland chase. But is Mack really gone, or could there be another twist waiting to unfold?

A Dark Chapter in Emmerdale History

For anyone new to the soap, Emmerdale is a long-running British drama set in a fictional Yorkshire village. Since 1972, it has delivered gripping stories of family, love, betrayal, and tragedy.

Recently, newcomer John Sugden has emerged as a dangerous figure in the village. While appearing helpful and kind, he has secretly orchestrated deadly schemes. John was revealed as the man responsible for Nate Robinson’s death, framing others to protect himself and manipulating those closest to him.

Now, Mackenzie Boyd (played by Lawrence Robb) has become the latest villager to discover John’s secrets—putting him directly in the villain’s crosshairs.

Mack Connects the Dots

In this week’s tense episodes, Mack pieced together John’s past. He noticed a photo album linking John to Ben, the so-called “removal man” who suspiciously handled Nate’s belongings. This discovery confirmed what Robert Sugden had long suspected: John was hiding something deadly.

The truth crystallised when Mack found a scrapbook in John’s van. Pretending to stay calm, he realised he was sitting beside a killer. John then diverted their trip to a remote spot, claiming the van had broken down—a move that set off alarm bells.

The Deadly Chase Through the Woods

Sensing danger, Mack secretly tried to send a text to Robert. But John noticed, triggering a violent confrontation. Mack bolted into the woods, but John followed with chilling precision. Armed with a bow and arrow, John hunted him down.

The pursuit ended in horror. John shot Mack twice, leaving him bleeding and struggling to escape. Mack managed to answer a call from Charity, but before he could explain, John silenced him. The killer then struck him with a rock, leaving him motionless on the forest floor.

Is Mackenzie Boyd Dead?

The aftermath was just as disturbing. John dragged Mack’s body into his van, later seen with bloodstains on the vehicle. He then returned to The Woolpack, lying to Aaron about leaving the village.

Still, ITV has not confirmed Mack’s fate. The show teased that the scenes were designed to “leave fans wondering.” Given Emmerdale’s history with fake-outs—such as the slow reveal of Nate’s true death—viewers remain unsure whether Mack has truly been killed.

Lawrence Robb Breaks His Silence

Speculation about Lawrence Robb’s exit has been swirling for weeks. However, the actor has not confirmed whether Mack’s apparent death marks the end of his time on Emmerdale.

Adding to the suspense, Mack’s wife Charity Dingle currently believes he is in London after their recent row. This false trail is likely to delay any immediate search, giving John valuable time to cover his tracks.

What’s Next for the Dales?

With two possible murders behind him, John Sugden is now Emmerdale’s most dangerous villain. But soaps thrive on long-running twists, and it’s rare for a major character to exit without weeks of fallout.

The key question now: will anyone uncover John’s lies before it’s too late? Aaron has already begun to notice strange behaviour from his husband, while Charity is growing suspicious of Mack’s silence.

As ITV teases, the coming episodes will push John to even darker places. Fans can expect plenty of tension, heartbreak, and the possibility of another shocking reveal.